Hedgerow Bounty Part Four- Rosehip Jam

I've foraged and used several foods from the country side in the past, but never rose hips. With several huge plants of Rosa canina (Dog Rose) in the hedge behind the nursery, I thought I would try using them this year. Having found a recipe for rosehip jam I gathered a box full to take home. Picking them is a bit of a pricky task, and a lot of the time I trimmed off small branches laden with hips, this in turn gives the plant a bit of a prune too. 

Rosehips ready for prepping

Rosehips in the hedgerow

Once home I removed the hips from the stalks, trimmed them and washed them. The next task was de-seeding them, a task I wasn't prepared for! Firstly I never realised the seeds were so big in such small hips and secondly how tedious a task it was going to be. It may be the first and last time we make anything from rosehips! David very gallantly offered to help and regretted it in minutes. Still we got the de-seeding done and it was time to cook them. 

Trimmed and ready for de-seeding

Rosehips ready to be cooked

To make approximatly 750g of jam you need

650g of rosehips

250ml water

sugar

Chop up the rose hips and place in a pan with the water. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 25 mins to soften the fruit. Add more water if it dries out. Once the fruit is very soft weigh the pulp and place back in the pan. Add the same weight of sugar to the fruit and cook over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the temperature and simmer until the mixture has set. Pour into sterilised jars and seal. 

Cooking the fruit to soften it

Rosehips are high in Vitamin C, making them good for fighting colds, flu and infections. Many people make rosehip tea which doesn't destroy the vitamin C as some processing does. The vitamin is kept right there in each cupful.

Ready for eating


Other hedgerow Bounty blogs you might like:

Hedgerow Bounty Part One - Sloe-ly does it

Hedgerow Bounty Part Two - Abundant Brambles

Hedgerow Bounty Part Three - Awash with Elderflower Champagne

It's that Bramble Time of year again

Hedgerow Bouny - Sloe gin


Or visit our Food Page



If you want to find out what's been happening in our garden at home like our Facebook page 
                                                      The quirky Bird Gardener 


 If you to see whats new and looking good at the nursery like our Facebook page
                                                         Quercus Garden Plants


Find out more about the nursery here - our web site: www.quercusgardenplants.co.uk


Follow us on Instagram @quirkybirdgardener


You can now sign up for our monthly newsletter on the facebook page or by emailing us to be added to our mailing list



All contents  and photographs ©  Rona, unauthorised reproduction & use of these images is strictly forbidden, thank you

Comments